DOH detects 1 new mpox case

The Department of Health (DOH) in the Philippines has announced the detection of a new mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) case, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 10. The latest case, reported on August 18, 2024, is the first mpox case in the Philippines this year, following the last reported case in December 2023.

The patient, a 33-year-old Filipino male, had no travel history outside the Philippines but had close, intimate contact three weeks before the onset of symptoms. His symptoms began with a fever, followed by a distinct rash on the face, back, nape, trunk, groin, palms, and soles.

The patient was taken to a government hospital, where skin lesion specimens were collected and tested using a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. The PCR test results confirmed the presence of Monkeypox viral DNA.

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa stated that the new case is currently in isolation, with a recommended isolation period of three weeks (21 days) until the skin lesions dry up. He emphasized that mpox can be transmitted through close and intimate contact with an infected person, contaminated materials like used clothes or utensils, or infected animals. However, soap and water can kill the virus.

While there is no need for isolation facilities, home isolation is advised for individuals with symptoms or a positive mpox diagnosis. Handwashing is also important, but face masks are not necessary. Supportive care is provided, treating symptoms such as fever with paracetamol, itching with anti-itch ointment, and treating lesions. Antiviral medication can be prescribed for cases with comorbidities, but not all cases require it. Healthy individuals are expected to recover without problems.

Hospitals capable of gathering complete case data and specimens for mpox confirmation include the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, San Lazaro Hospital, East Avenue Medical Center, Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center, Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital, Quirino Memorial Medical Center, and the UP-Philippine General Hospital, among others.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mpox symptoms include skin rash or mucosal lesions, accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes. The WHO declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern in July 2022 and lifted it in May 2023. Since January 2022, there have been reports of mpox in 16 African countries, resulting in 1,456 deaths. There has been a 160 percent increase in cases this year compared to the previous year.

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